62: Mingtang

At the Grand Beginning Palace.

The ministers surged in like a tide.

Qin Chuan followed at the very end of the procession.

Taking advantage of this moment, he secretly looked up at the pearl curtain ahead.

At this time, no one was seated there yet.

Indeed, only subjects waited for the emperor; there was no emperor waiting for subjects.

The official at the front of the hall announced, “The Eleventh Year of Great Zhou! The court session begins!”

All civil and military officials bowed, “We respectfully welcome Your Majesty!”

After saying that, although Qin Chuan did not look directly, an extremely strong presence appeared in the hall.

A noble female voice came from above, “All my beloved ministers, rise!”

“Thank you, Your Majesty.”

Only then did the ministers stand up.

Afterward, the court session did not proceed with the 'report if there are matters, adjourn if there are none' format that Qin Chuan had imagined.

Earlier, he saw the burly man known as Duke of Lu step forward first.

“Reporting to Your Majesty, the various guard stations and prefectural lieutenants have conscripted two hundred thousand able-bodied youths, but to form a fighting force, it may take some time.”

“Intensify their training.”

“The great snow disaster in Mobei, stretching for thousands of miles, has led the barbarian tribes to send envoys to beg Your Majesty for mercy.”

“This matter will be handled by the Ministry of Revenue. By next spring, I want three thousand Prairie Wolf Rider!”

One by one, the affairs of the world were handled with such ease in the eyes of the person behind the pearl curtain.

For matters that could not be decided immediately in court, the officials below would engage in a heated debate, after which the Empress would make a final decision.

Finally, when everything was concluded, there was no dragging of feet whatsoever.

“Court adjourned!”

After saying that, the seat at the top was empty, and the ministers dispersed.

They just left?

Just as Qin Chuan was wondering what he was doing here, Wang Zhongshu smiled and motioned for him not to rush.

Indeed, it wasn't long before a close attendant came to deliver a message.

“Minister Wang and Qiao County Son are invited to the Ming Hall for an audience.”

Wang Zhongshu accepted the command and led Qin Chuan there.

Outside the Ming Hall, Qin Chuan was surprised to see Duke of Lu, who had exchanged greetings with Wang Zhongshu earlier in front of the Grand Beginning Palace.

Wang Zhongshu and he exchanged glances; neither seemed surprised.

Qin Chuan, however, began to speculate why the Martial Empress had summoned these two, a civil and a military official, after the court session.

This, however, made him breathe a sigh of relief.

Calling these two over definitely meant there was important business.

As for the minor matter of him peeking through the observatory, it would probably just be a brief mention.

Not long after, they were called into the hall.

Upon entering, Qin Chuan finally saw the Great Zhou Empress for the first time.

She wore a magnificent crown, and a dress of seven-colored ethereal silk draped over her. Her slender neck was delicate and soft, her eyebrows, shaped like the character 'eight', drooped at the ends, and her phoenix eyes were slightly closed, elegant and independent.

As Qin Chuan gazed, his head suddenly lowered involuntarily.

When he looked again, Wang Zhongshu had already pulled him and Duke of Lu to bow together.

“Greetings, Your Majesty.”

“This is not the imperial court; there is no need for such formality.”

The Empress lightly moved her lips. Although her words were not as awe-inspiring and unapproachable as those in court, they were still full of majesty.

The three people in the hall were silent, like cicadas in winter, none daring to speak first.

Just as Qin Chuan was pondering how this meeting between monarch and ministers would proceed, the Empress finally asked.

“Have you found the place where that evil demon entered our Great Zhou?”

Duke of Lu immediately bowed, “This old subject is incompetent. This foreign evil demon, upon entering, does not seem to be like the one in Qiao City. They are merely scattered spies, and their origin cannot be traced.”

As he spoke, he seemed to wink at Wang Zhongshu.

Wang Zhongshu understood and immediately said, “This matter is not Duke of Lu’s fault. Your humble subject ordered Dali Temple to interrogate them, using every method, but those spies seem to have unique means to prevent leakage of information. When asked critical questions, they would spontaneously combust or their souls would become disoriented.”

Upon hearing this, the Empress pondered for a moment before saying, “This matter cannot be blamed on either of you. We will discuss it later.”

After saying that, she inquired about the detailed situation regarding the conscription. Duke of Lu truthfully informed her.

Finally, as if making a decision, she spoke to Wang Zhongshu.

“After this year’s imperial examination, initiate an imperial grace examination. The standards can be slightly relaxed.”

Upon hearing this, all three in the hall were astonished.

The quickest to react was Wang Zhongshu.

“Imperial grace examination?! Your Majesty, the triennial imperial examination has not even concluded yet. If an imperial grace examination is initiated so urgently, not to mention there are no positions within Great Zhou to accommodate the new recruits, this matter might also harm the fate of our Great Zhou and affect Your Majesty as well…”

The Empress waved her hand, signaling him not to say more:

“In extraordinary times, extraordinary measures must be taken! Our Great Zhou no longer has much time.”

Speaking of this, she looked up at Qin Chuan: “Qiao County Son should be most aware of this matter.”

Qin Chuan: ???

I am not! I did not! Don't talk nonsense!

Seeing the exchange of glances between Wang Zhongshu and Duke of Lu, Qin Chuan’s heart immediately went through a triple denial.

At the same time, he pondered the meaning of the Empress’s words.

Since his previous attempt to peek through the National Academy’s observatory in the Virtual World was easily discovered, he did not underestimate this person.

Did she know that he was reincarnated from another world?

Unlikely.

Then, she either knew that he had a way to observe outside the realm, or she knew about the situation of the abyss.

This possibility was the highest!

Just as Qin Chuan was thinking this, he heard the Empress say.

“Qiao County Son, step forward.”

Qin Chuan stepped forward as instructed.

Then, he heard the Empress’s voice by his ear.

“I heard that in ancient times there were objects that could observe the four seas and eight wildernesses, and I also heard that in this floating world, there is a higher realm called the Azure Firmament. Which one do you belong to?”

Upon hearing this, Qin Chuan could not be said to be greatly alarmed; he could only be described as completely unmoved.

The Empress’s words were very clear—she knew about the observatory, and even about the existence of the Virtual World.

However, this understanding seemed to be in a state of knowing the 'what' but not the 'why'.

Qin Chuan did not rush to answer the question but quietly glanced back at Duke of Lu and Wang Zhongshu.

“You may speak freely; there is no need to consider them. They… cannot hear our conversation.”

Qin Chuan:

Silenced? No, it should be 'forbidden to hear'.

Since the other party knew, he had nothing to hide.

He immediately said directly, “This humble subject was fortunate enough to travel in spirit to the Azure Firmament, named ‘Virtual World’. Within it are widespread academies and schools… My previous impolite observation was precisely my first time using the divine object, the observatory, from another National Academy within it.”

Listening to Qin Chuan’s introduction, the Empress’s eyes gleamed with fascination.

Just as Qin Chuan was wondering if he could make up for a missed Martial Arts Tournament when he returned to the Main World after handing over his login device—

“In that Virtual World, have you met anyone else?”

“Hmm?” Qin Chuan didn’t know why she asked this and answered truthfully.

“I have not encountered anyone. The entire world seems to contain only me.”

—Hmm, the existence of White Deer, a personification of the academy, naturally doesn’t count.

After getting the answer, the Empress seemed a little disappointed.

She lightly raised her delicate hand: “I understand.”

After saying that, she looked up again at the few people in the hall.

“That will be all for today. Minister Wang, go prepare for the imperial grace examination. As for the matter of the evil demon’s spies entering our Great Zhou… that will be handled by Qiao County Son. I trust Qiao County Son will not disappoint me, will he?”

“Your subjects obey.”

Before Qin Chuan could react, he was pulled by Wang Zhongshu to bow and take his leave.